Books I’ve Read Recently

I like to read. A lot. Always have. I used to hide in the bathroom and read to escape my chores when I was little. I hung out in the library much of middle school (great way to escape the bullies). My husband and I courted at the Birmingham-Southern College library. You get the picture.

For several years, I didn’t read at all. I was so busy working and working and working some more that I wasn’t able to make time for reading. Then one day, I decided “enough of that” and started prioritizing this simple and satisfying activity. Now I read in the mornings and the evenings and it makes me happy. If you struggle to find time to read, try waking up 30 minutes early for a date with your book. It’s an awesome time to read!

I thought I’d share a few of the extraordinary books that I’ve read in the past couple of months in the hope that you will be better off because of it:

The Poisonwood Bible: Hold on and prepare yourself to be challenged, infuriated, emotionally engaged, and inspired. This book by Barbara Kingsolver (the author of the awesome Animal, Vegetable, Miracle), is a mix of a critique of the traditional missionary approach, a challenge of the Western culture of overconsumption & self interest, a commentary of the political instability in Africa and its terrible consequences, and literary genius.

The Kite Runner: This marvelous novel is the true page turner of bunch. Rarely has a book had the impact this book had on me. It draws you in from the beginning and paints a vivid picture of live in Afghanistan over the past several decades. The author, Khaled Hosseini, creates an emotional bond with the first person narrator that is impossible to escape. This is story-telling at its best.

A Thousand Splendid Suns: By the author of The Kite Runner, this book takes the reader on a journey through the trials and tribulations of several women living in Afghanistan. It is horrific and hopeful all at once. It certainly made me appreciate freedom, equality, and health.

Enough: Why the World’s Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty:This is a topic that interests me beyond belief. Why is it that we have poor people among us when there is plenty to go around? This journalistic piece takes a crack at this question, particularly as it relates to Africa. I had no idea that the food aid coming from the US is actually harmful to Africa’s ability to be self-sustaining… Read this book for lots of insights and inspiration to make a difference.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: I’m not typically into murder mysteries, however, this book had a few things going for it. We already owned it (thanks to my husband) and it is written by a Swedish author, Stieg Larsson (and I happen to be from Sweden). So, I decided to give it a shot. I am now addicted to this trilogy.

The Girl Who Played with Fire: This is the second book by Stieg Larsson. I like the underlying theme of these books which is to raise awareness of abuse against women. It’s astonishing how many women are actually victims of abuse. Now I can’t wait for book #3 to be released on May 25.

So this is why I haven’t been writing a lot lately… It seems that my brain has been more interested in absorbing that purging. I do intend to get back on track with this blog though. Inspiration is returning and summer is around the corner. Lots of thoughts to come.